The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of

Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation

Other

Michael R McGuire

Baruch S Shasha

Robert W Behle

Edwin E Lewis

Ronald J Prokopy

David I Shapiro

Xing Ping Hu

Pesticidal and/or antimicrobial biological agent-infected arthropod cadavers are formulated by applying a coating agent once on the surface of the cadaver which either (a) prevents the cadavers from sticking together and/or rupturing or (b) acts as an adhesive for a powder or granule applied to the cadaver to prevent sticking and rupturing. The formulated cadavers maintain or improve infectivity, reproducibility, and survivability. The formulated cadavers can be partially desiccated to improve on shelf-life.

Formulated arthropod cadavers for pest suppression

The present invention provides methods and compositions used to increase the pest resistance of living organisms. The invention especially provides adherent granules made of starch that are carriers for pest control agents. Simple and economic methods have been developed to prepare said adherent granules. Compositions and characteristics of the granules are disclosed, including their capability for sustained release of pest control agents.

Adherent starch granules

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for encapsulating biologically active agents in starch-based adherent granules. Simple and economic methods have been developed to prepare said adherent granules. Compositions and characteristics of the granules are disclosed, including their capability for sustained release of pest control agents. These methods and compositions are useful in controlling insects and other species of pests having chewing mouth parts and amylase digestive enzymes.

Methods and compositions of adherent starch granules for encapsulating

The present invention provides pest control formulations which comprise lignin as well as methods of protecting pest control agents from environmental degradation through the use of lignin. A solubilized lignin solution is prepared by mixing water, lignin, and a pH adjuster to form a solubilized lignin solution having a pH of between about 7 and about 12, preferably between about 8 and about 11, and most preferably between about 9 and about 10. The solubilized lignin solution is then used to prepare the pest control formulation by mixing with pest control agent and a multivalent salt and drying to form a dispersible formulation. The dispersible formulation is mixed with water to form the pest control formulation having resistance to solar degradation. Alternatively, the solubilized lignin solution may be used as an adjuvant by drying and later adding the dried adjuvant to pest control agent and a multivalent salt to form the pest control formulation, or by mixing directly with pest control agent and multivalent salt to form the pest control formulation. When prepared with the lignin adjuvant, the pest control formulation has improved resistance to washoff as well as resistance to solar degradation.

Lignin-based pest control formulations

The present invention is a device for delivering pesticide to pests, comprising (a) an outer layer comprising a porous water-insoluble polymeric; (b) an inner layer in contact with the outer layer, the inner layer comprising a water-soluble feeding stimulant and a carbohydrate which is at least partially gelatinized; and (c) a toxicant which is present on or in the outer layer, the inner layer, or both. The types of pests for which the device may be used to deliver pesticide are any pests which are able to be controlled by the toxicants used in the device and that can be attracted to an object to feed and/or lay eggs, such as the apple maggot fly, the Mediterranean fruit fly, the house fly, the oriental fruit fly, the blueberry fruit fly, the olive fruit fly, the melon fruit fly, and the Mexican fruit fly as well as other flies, beetles, wasps, moths, cockroaches, and any other insect that can be lured to a device for feeding or egg laying. The porous water-insoluble polymeric materials are pits, shellacs, linseed oil and other water soluble or water suspendible material that becomes insoluble upon drying. Examples of water-soluble feeding stimulants are sugary products chosen from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, molasses, maltodextrins, and corn syrup as well as corn flour, gluten or other sugary or proteinaceous and lipid materials for insects other than flies. Examples of carbohydrates are corn flour, cornstarch, wheat starch, and potato starch. Toxicants which may be used are dimethoate, phyloxine B, avermectin, azinphosmethyl, diazinon, permethrin, Imidacloprid, Malathion, Methomyl, or other insecticides available in sufficient quantity to kill insects upon feeding or alighting on the sphere. A high boiling liquid such as glycerin may optionally be added to the carbohydrate/first layer of the device to prevent cracking.

Device for controlling pests

The present invention provides a process of formulating a pest control agent into a sprayable gluten-based formulation. A gluten-based formulation for use in pest control is also provided. The present invention also provides a process of decreasing the population of a pest of a living organism comprising formulating a pest control agent into a sprayable gluten-based formulation and delivering the formulation to the external surface of the living organism.

Sprayabale gluten-based formulation for pest control

Sprayable gluten-based formulation for pest control

Sprayable, starch-based formulations for autoencapsulating biological control agents, such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses, incorporate a sugary material to promote adherence of the encapsulated agent to treated foliage. The autoencapsulated pathogens are characterized by high survivability and are useful in controlling insects and other pest species.

Growing community of inventors

Metamora, IL, United States of America

Michael R McGuire